Temple of the Dog Songs Ranked
Temple of the Dog was an American rock supergroup that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. It was conceived by vocalist Chris Cornell of Soundgarden as a tribute to his friend, the late Andrew Wood, lead singer of the bands Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. The lineup included Stone Gossard on rhythm guitar, Jeff Ament on bass guitar (both ex-members of Mother Love Bone and later Pearl Jam), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) on lead guitar, and Matt Cameron (Soundgarden and later Pearl Jam) on drums. Eddie Vedder appeared as a guest to provide some lead and backing vocals. The band released its only album, the self-titled Temple of the Dog, in April 1991 through A&M Records. The recording sessions took place in November and December 1990 at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, Washington, with producer Rakesh “Rick” Parashar. Although earning praise from music critics at the time of its release, the album was not widely recognized until 1992, when Vedder, Ament, Gossard, and McCready had their breakthrough with Pearl Jam. Cameron would later join Pearl Jam, serving as a drummer since 1998. The band toured in 2016 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their self-titled album. Here are all of Temple of the Dog songs ranked.
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10. All Night Thing (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“It’s about a guy who has sex with a girl, and doesn’t know what she wants. He is confused as to if she wants to be together, or just let it be a one night stand. He wants her to tell him if she wants to be with him or if this was only a one night stand. If it is only a one night stand, he won’t come around anymore, or mention it to anyone.”
9. Four Walled World (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“I take this song a different way. It seems to me that his four walled wall isn’t an actual prison but it’s this bad world he’s created for himself that feels like a prison because he can’t leave it or change it, not even for the woman he loves. He doesn’t mention anything about committing a crime to get into prison so I think he’s using it metaphorically.”
8. Your Saviour (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“About life’s choices and being cast down by the one’s who are taught that they are forgiven, yet they can’t forgive others. These same people think salvation is a private club. This song is about them.”
7. Times of Trouble (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“Stone Gossard had the riff that became both Times of Trouble and Footsteps (Pearl Jam). Stone gave the demo of the riff to both Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder at the same time. The tune and lyrics that Vedder put to the song became Pearl Jam’s Footsteps and Cornell’s became Times of Trouble.”
See more: Temple of the Dog Albums Ranked
6. Wooden Jesus (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“This song to me is in no way about addiction. To me its definitely about religious people who fill there homes with religious figurines and propaganda, because in some way they feel this will bode well for them in getting into heaven. Like it was said earlier, its also about the individuals who make millions selling simple people the idea that they can buy themselves into heaven. It pretty much sums up to me how ridiculous religion has become.”
5. Pushin Forward Back (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“The Album Temple of the Dog was dedicated to Andrew Wood the frontman of Mother Love Bone (Note the Mother reference in the song and the Dog reference in the band album title.) This track deals with the heroin addiction that killed Andrew. Mother in the title is referencing the group Mother Love Bone and the group’s dealing with Andrew’s addiction. Heroin is known as Mother’s milk to addicts so there’s a double tie-in.”
See more: Chris Cornell Albums Ranked
4. Call Me a Dog (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“I think two people are in a relationship and one person loves the other, but can’t get over certain events in their past, ei…”You tell me I’m low ’cause I’ve slept on the floor”. This person continues to berate the other and when “it’s [his] time to call your bluff” for everything that she claims to be, he can’t because he is so in love with every other aspect of her and can’t bear to take her from the pedestal he’s put her on.”
3. Reach Down (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“One of the greatest pieces ever… a song about powerful positive energy.. Though the lyrics are not completely the same as the recorded song.. It is quite obvious what the song is about, what Andrew Wood did with his music and fans “pick the crowd up and carry in [his] hands to the promised land”. This songs does it everytime to me”
2. Say Hello 2 Heaven (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“This is just a beautiful tribute to Andrew Wood who was the lead singer for Mother Love Bone. The Other members were (Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament from Pj) and Greg Gilmore, and last Bruce Fairweather. I Just love the lyrics to this song, its sort of touching in a way.”
1. Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog, 1991)
“I love this song. It’s depressing yet beautiful at the same time. A very simple, but a great song. ‘Hunger Strike’ is a statement that I’m staying true to what I’m doing regardless of what comes of it, but I will never change what I’m doing for the purposes of success or money.”